The purpose of this page is for a detailed reflection and account of my overall path of this year and specifically on the path of this Learning review project. I detail my skillflexes of the year and for this cycle with a timeline of activity. The right hand column is a list of my journals during this OP cycle, the center column has three un/learning journal extracts, giving glimpses into my processes and thinking.
Pathway reflection
Gazing back into the distant past, twelve months ago, I was in Varanasi, India. I was attending the Maha Kumbha Mela the largest gathering of people on Earth, which happens every 12 years at the confluence of three rivers. It was an amazing experience!
While there I lived at a communal style guest house. I started my Gaia orientation up on the rooftop at 10:30 at night dialed into 3G Internet via my cell phone with a head lamp and note pad. It was an adventurous beginning! Orientation was an important part of this year it was the foundation stones paving the way for my projects and experiences of this year.
The path has had many twists and turns! many of the hardships of walking my path has come from being transient, yet it has also improved my ability to adapt to many situations while maintaining a focused dedication. Traveling has also deepened my connection to communities, people and cultures around the world. For me this is a priceless experience with a reward of being connected with a global family that is a great support.
OP Process Reflection
This has been my most challenging project to date. My learning constitution is Accommodator (Kolb´s kite), consisting of active experimentation and concrete experience. being one who learns from doing this project really pushed my edge. I found that being methodical about the process and journaling was helpful. I also found it helpful to have art and building projects mixed in with this time of reflection. My art helped me reflect about what I was writing, ideas and memories would reveal things I needed to include.
Many unexpected yields presented themselves. Having my computer crash while traveling Central America seemed like a road block. Shortly after I connected with a friend who lives in Guatemala, he was in India but invited me to stay at his house and use his computer. Having a large screen and updated operating system made the processes easier. I was also able to convert all the mindmaps (iThoughts) I had made over the year into Xmind maps and upload them to the internet, giving me greater access to my work (see my Xmind maps here). I also was able to update and redesign my Gaia resume page. This was very satisfying to get my new goals written down and more - see my Resume here (a new page will open) .
Time management
I did not plan to go on pause for two months, but the ability to do so, made this process smooth and rich. I managed my time as though I was still working in-program, skillflexing in teaching and leading at UNO community, while chipping away at the process of this learning review. I have continued working with my guild and skillflex adviser throughout my pause and with my main adviser through December. I attended some Gaia Radio calls in order to stay engaged with the community and to further my learning. Traveling Mexico and Guatemala during this project has enable diverse experiences of exchange. Speaking Spanish fluently boosted my confidence and gave me a great feeling of being able to to share my vision broadly. I am also actively engaging with my community back home in Vermont (via the internet) to plan for the coming year and my return in April. See timeline below.
Skillflex chart
The OP4 Skillflex chart (attached below) details all my flexes for OP2, OP3 and OP4.
OP4 Skillflex chart
OP5 Timeline with look at 2014
December 18, 2013 - Journal - Tulum
This journal shows a reflection on my year, my achievement and a look ahead.
I find myself drifting in and out of moments from my year feeling their potency and then coming back into the activity of the community at UNO.
My greatest achievement I feel is the realization that I have the knowledge of how to design, document and transmit my projects and experiences.
My confidence in my choice to do Gaia U was tested by individuals in my life and I am grateful to say that I made the right choice. Gaia U is not simply about climbing the academic ladder to get papers of recognition and letters behind my name but it is a true learning and transformative experience.
It is still difficult for me to see how I will fit into the existing ecosystem of permaculture consultancy and teaching gurus. Though this is unclear I see that it is coming into view with the changes that are coming into my life.
Jan. 17, 2014 - Journal - Computer crash
This journal shows that when I was challenged during this project, I saw it as an opportunity to grow, rather than a time to stress.
I do not see myself rebelling anymore, I see I have matured and am simply at peace with how I choose to progress. I am at a place of active acceptance of where my path is and where it leads me. It is a trust.
My meditation teacher Shiva Rudra Bala Yogi says, “You must put in effort, to get results.”.Though most of my efforts my adult life are ones that society in general does not support, I know this path is right for me and is beneficial to others.
My wife asked me so what do you do about your studies with no computer? I said, worst case scenario I go on pause until May.
February 17, 2014 - Journal - Flows and looking ahead
This journal shows my experience and contemplation of key aspects of Permaculture and my look ahead to my up-coming project (LIPD for year 2).
I missed an OP Support call today the internet has been very spotty for 3 days now. I am not really able to work on my OP either. We also have no running water, we are on town water here in San Marcos Lake Attitlan, Guatemala and they ration how much water you get (7-10 am). We watered the gardens some yesterday and the water finished early today. It is a good reminder of flows, inputs, yields and overflow.
I am happy with where I am. I feel my work is improving and the process is becoming more natural for me. I have stacked a bit of the process with my upcoming LIPD with this project by starting a timeline for the first ten months of 2014. In November I am starting a forked timeline with a possible route one and two.
Journals during OP5
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1:6:2014 Journal & Oven .txt Details
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1:15:2014 crash comp ' San cris .txt Details
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1:26 lake Attitlan .txt Details
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11:2:2013 Switzerland .txt Details
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12:11:2013 Mexico .txt Details
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12:18:2013 Tulum .txt Details
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12:20:2013 En UNO .txt Details
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12:23:2013 Krishna .txt Details
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12:31:13 New Years .txt Details
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1:14:2014 Moving foreword with OP5 .txt Details
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12:19:2013 patrix restimulation.txt Details
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12:30:2013 computer crash.txt Details
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1:8:2014 Oven and life in UNO .txt Details
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1:17:2014 Crashed Compu - ahead! .txt Details
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2:17:2014 - flows and looking ahead .txt Details
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2:14:2014 skillflex of white-paper .txt Details
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